USS Yorktown Marine Detachment, the first US troops to "invade" Japan
Japanese troops surrender their arms to Yorktown Marines
The Marine Detachment of the Yorktown was anxious to learn that they might have to go to some of the Pacific Islands to remove the remains of many American Servicemen. Says Sarkisian, "Admiral Halsey put a stop to that plan; Haley's plans were to get 2,000 Marines from his Navy Task Force to build up an invasion/occupation force to beat General MacArthur's troops from landing first on Japan."
The Marine Detachment of the Yorktown drilled on the flight deck with small arms and fired at flying fish off the surface of the water. At this time, they were rendezvousing around Japan in July 1945. Navy transports by boatswains chairs to them. After a few days, the Yorktown Marines landed on the seaplane ramps at Yukosuka (which was to become the future home port to the USS Yorktown for a time and a frequent liberty port). When the Yorktown Marines landed at Yukosuka, Japan, they were face to face with a 6 foot Japanese officer. Marine Major Hibeson ordered that all firearms be surrendered to him by the Japanese but that the Japanese could keep their swords. The Japanese officer understood and the former belligerents complied and surrendered their small arms.
What the Yorktown Marines experienced at Yukosuka was beyond their expectations; the Japanese arsenals, hundreds of untouched aircraft, many tanks, small and large submarines, anti-aircraft guns of all kinds, not to mention the underground caves. The caves were well lit, had drill presses and long lines of lathes. The floors were spotless and there were no scrap metal or any sign of activity.
Says Sarkisian, "I am sure the war would have continued had the bombs not been used. the only way the Japanese could have won was if they would continue their kamikaze tactics."
The Yorktown Marine Detachment left Japan six days later, being relieved by other Marine battalions and MacArthur's US Army troops. So, Admiral Haley's Third Landing Fleet, along with the Yorktown Marines were the first to occupy Japan.
The war was over, the last airstrike was called off over Japan, radio silence was cancelled. As 12 planes from Air Group 88 were flying back to the Yorktown they flew over Atsugi Airfield in Japan. Suddently 12 fliers were surprised by a large group of Japanese planes. These planes began firing at the Navy pilots. Before the Yorktown pilots could recover from the attack, four planes had been shot down. Within minutes, the remaining 8 Yorktown pilots downed 12 of the "enemy" and drove the rest away. The war was over; but below on Japanese soil lay the bodies of four Yorktown pilots...Lt. jg Joseph G. Sahloff, Ens. Eugene E. Mandeberg and Ens. Wright C. Hobbs, Jr. The Yorktown would be the last ship to have her people fight in the war. She had carried the war to the bitter end.
General Douglas MacArthur wanted to occupy the Japanese islands but he was hundreds of miles away in the Philippines getting ready for the invasion. While he was on his way to occupy Japan with the US Army, a plan was devised for landing naval personnel if it became necessary. Many of the men aboard the Yorktown were given 45's and told to practice using oil drums towed in the wake for targets. MacArthur found out about this and ordered that only the US Army be allowed in Japan until it was safe for others.
This made several pilots angry. They had carried the war right to the Japanese, but on orders from Army General MacArthur, they would not be allowed to land until the army had complete control of the Several days later, the army landed at the airfield. As the soldiers climbed from their transports, they were greeted with the following sign: "Welcome U.S. Army from the MacArthur was furious when he was told about the sign. Admiral Halsey tried to act angry too, but instead he smiled slightly. The US Navy had been first again, with the USS Yorktown in the lead. Pacific Carrier ©1988 p. 254 |